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Sounders rally to take conference lead

SEATTLE — Chad Marshall scored six minutes from time to see Seattle Sounders FC earn a 2-1 defeat of the Philadelphia Union at CenturyLink Field on Saturday, its fourth successive league victory.

The two sides were level until the 84th minute when Marshall notched his first goal for the Sounders, helping Seattle (6-2-1) climb to 19 points on the season to take sole possession of first place in the Western Conference.

Philadelphia (1-4-5) is winless in its last eight outings, staying put on eight points.

The Union took the lead in the 14th minute from a set-piece opportunity when Brad Evans inadvertently flicked a free kick into his own net.

Seattle had a tremendous opportunity to level the score before the close of the first half when Amobi Okugo was whistled for handling the ball in the box, but Osvaldo Alonso was denied by Zac MacMath on the ensuing penalty attempt.

The Sounders eventually found an equalizer and it was Evans who played the role of the provider. The United States international made amends for his own goal by nodding a ball into the penalty area, allowing Obafemi Martins to ghost in behind the Union defense and slot a shot past MacMath.

Philadelphia thought it had done enough to claim a point, but Marshall struck in the closing stages to give the hosts the victory. The Sounders defender was first to Marco Pappa’s corner kick, rising high to bury the delivery with a powerful header.

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